> Washington, on the other hand, traditionally respects market forces and opposes government-led industrial policy.<p>The US government is now essentially in the thrall of free riders.<p>The free rider problem is exactly what government is supposed to handle for a society, but US culture is now so degenerate that free riders are glorified, and the concept of contributing to the success of your society is widely regarded as oppression.<p>Paying taxes. Getting vaccinated. Being a public servant. Pro-social activities of this nature are reviled by a huge fraction of the populace, and there are huge media machines which cater exclusively to this free rider mindset.